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God’s Grace is for us all, undeserved, unearned, God’s way of calling us to Him before we even know our own need. The congregation of Grace United Methodist Church has a mission to be a strong witness for Christ and provide an environment where we may grow and develop as a community of Christians actively seeking ways to share our faith in Jesus Christ.
Grace United Methodist Church is an established congregation whose facility is situated on the Northern Albemarle, Southern Greene County borders just off Route 29 near GE Fanuc.
The church is a long established congregation, stemming from the mergers of the Mount Paran United Methodist and Mount Chapel United Methodist into the Paran United Methodist Church, later renamed Grace United Methodist Church as the church sought out a name that more closely reflected its call from Christ.
The congregation welcomes visitors who will find that the church was constructed to maximize accessibility for seniors to toddlers, the very able to those physically challenged. The main structure is entirely on one level with parking lot attached. Main bathrooms are handicapped accessible and the Nursery classroom has a child size bathroom. Within the sanctuary, parents of infants appreciate the large rocking chairs provided for their use. The gently sloping grounds of the church include a fenced young children’s playground.
Regular worship services each Sunday at 11am are traditional although dress is informal. Children’s church provides a fun and educational alternative for kids. The sacrament of communion is offered the first Sunday of each month. Adult and children’s Sunday School classes meet in the hour prior to the regular worship service. Bible Studies, Focus groups, Communion and Baptismal Preparation classes are scheduled at various times during the year.
The congregation enjoys an environment reminiscent of a family reunion at the monthly Third Sunday Social Potluck. Children enjoy the annual Vacation Bible School, Easter Egg Hunt, Christmas pageant and quarterly youth events such as movie and pizza nights.
Adult and youth choirs welcome all musicians and vocalists eager to offer praise through music. Grace UMC is referred to as a “singing church” and justifiably so as congregational singing is greatly enjoyed.
The ministry focus of the immediate church has been fulfilling the needs of local families through its Paran Preschool, its sponsored Boy Scout Troop #111 and the associated Venture Crew, its Christian Education and Music programs, and its diligent efforts to alleviate the suffering of the poor by supplying local food banks with food and cash donations.
The active United Methodist Women and United Methodist Men Associations have assured the church’s support and participation in the extended charitable works of the United Methodist denomination as they work to raise funds for apportionments, collect supplies and cash to create the relief packs utilized by United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and support the needs for fellowship and worship opportunities of the adult and senior members of the congregation at monthly meetings. Through UMCOR the church supports relief work on a global level.
Praying, learning, worshipping, singing, evangelizing, laughing, comforting, working with youth, seniors and the poor; these are the activities that bind the congregation together and assure that Grace United Methodist Church is the place where we belong. If you are longing to feel that same sense of belonging, are feeling the urges of soul to learn more of Christ and to accept God’s great gift of Grace, we urge you to join us.
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This page was last updated on 3/25/06
General Board of Global Ministries, The United
Methodist Church